How Switzerland balanced power between large populations and small cantons

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: To build a unified nation, Switzerland had to resolve a fierce debate: should power follow people or territory? The resulting compromise created a unique bicameral system where two houses hold identical authority, ensuring that neither the massive urban centers nor the tiny rural cantons could dominate the others.

The structure of the Swiss Federal Assembly is the result of a deep-seated compromise between two competing visions of representation. During the formation of the federal state, radicals representing large, populous cantons advocated for a system based purely on population. Conversely, smaller cantons feared they would be marginalized by these larger neighbors. To prevent this, Switzerland adopted a model of bicameralism similar to the American system, creating two chambers with equal powers.

The National Council represents the people, with its 200 seats distributed proportionally based on the population of each canton. In contrast, the Council of States represents the cantons themselves. In this chamber, every canton is granted two seats, with the exception of the six 'half-cantons', which are allocated only one seat each. This ensures that even the smallest cantons maintain a voice in the legislative process.

While the two houses operate separately for most legislative matters—requiring the agreement of both to pass a law—they can convene as a 'United Federal Assembly' under specific conditions. During this combined meeting, members vote for the Federal Council (the state and government leader), the Federal Chancellor, and federal judges. In rare instances of great national danger, the United Federal Assembly also holds the power to elect a general.

This system has remained remarkably stable since the establishment of the federal state in 1848. While the number of seats in the National Council has evolved alongside population growth—reaching a fixed 200 seats in 1962—the fundamental balance between the two houses has served as the supreme authority of the Confederation for decades.

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